A university student from Scotland tragically ended his life just three months after he was incorrectly told that he wouldn’t have enough credits to graduate on time. His family is now advocating for better support for students facing similar struggles.
Ethan Brown, a 23-year-old geography student at the University of Glasgow, took his own life on December 13, 2024.
His mother, Tracy Scott, discovered her son dead in his room. It’s a pain, she says, that haunts her every day.
“It feels like a bad dream that I can’t wake up from,” Scott shared, clearly heartbroken.
Following Ethan’s death, she urged the university to look into his situation.
According to the university, an investigation revealed the error and an internal report was compiled by a senior professor who had recently retired. This report was later shared with Brown’s family.
Less than two months after Ethan’s passing, university officials met with Brown’s family representatives to express their “sincere apology” and offer their condolences.
The university further stated that such “tragic” mistakes should have been caught during the exam board process. They also stressed that this was an isolated incident.
However, it seems there were issues beyond mere numbers. Brown had previously raised concerns about his “happiness” to a staff member, but these worries didn’t make it to the mental health services on campus.
Family attorney Aamer Anwar expressed his determination to ensure that Brown’s family receives justice and that support systems for struggling students are implemented to prevent further tragedies.
“The University of Glasgow must understand that they failed Ethan, which ultimately led to his death,” Anwar said during a press conference.
The family was devastated to uncover Ethan’s difficulties only after he had already passed.
Yet, in their grief, they find solace in memories of him. He was described as someone “whose smile could light up a room,” someone people genuinely wanted to be around.
The University of Glasgow has committed to reassessing their training programs for various staff, including those involved in the exam board process, and pledged a comprehensive review of practices concerning both academic and mental well-being.
If you are thinking about suicide or facing a mental health crisis, you can contact 1-888-NYC-Well in New York City for free, confidential support. Outside NYC, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for assistance.
